Role of medical laboratory personnel in health care provision

By Stephen Mukaya

Clinical laboratory science also known as medical laboratory is a health profession whose primary goal is to resolve patients’ health problem(s) presented to the physician by performing laboratory analysis.

The main area of operation is the laboratory which is a facility equipped with various biomedical instruments and chemicals for performing different laboratory diagnostic activities by using biological specimens such as whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, stool and sputum.

Errors may occur when diagnosis of diseases depend on clinical symptoms alone. Laboratory personnel have a duty to analyze specimen conclusively in order to guide physicians appropriately. Treatment of diseases depends on proper choices of drugs. Antibiotic sensitivity testing is critical in identifying selective antimicrobial remedies.

Screening of diseases helps in detection of infections without clear symptoms. Early detection of cancer forestalls the devastating effects that would occur in case the condition was diagnosed late. Regular Pap smear examination, for example, help early detection of cervical cancer prompting timely treatment. In the same vein, regular blood sugar testing helps to detect diabetes. This allows the victim to commence treatment in good time. The patient is counselled and educated on how to adjust on life style activities and diet.

An epidemic is a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time. Control of epidemics through early detection of pathogens helps to avert such situations that have enormous medical challenges and economic implications.

Additionally, it safeguards against empirical prescription, which has been associated with multidrug resistance. Monitoring of patient’s response to treatment is an important role played by laboratory experts through periodical testing. A classic example is when a patient is on dialysis treatment, constant monitoring of kidney function tests is advised.

Laboratory personnel undertake surveillance and provision of health information through water supply testing, carrier identification and risk factor assessment. They also participate in controlled field trials through new drug/vaccine testing and vaccine potency testing.

Management of finance, equipment and supplies is a salient component of the profession.

Laboratory technicians work on annual budgetary projections, and prepare technical specifications for procurement of laboratory equipment. Laboratory managers have to ensure constant supply of reagents and other laboratory consumables. This involves keeping a proper stocks inventory.

Additionally, we have to ensure reliable and quality laboratory practices are upheld. Such a comprehensive commitment to quality is essential to achieve best possible service to patients, user confidence, effectiveness and efficiency, accountability and optimal use of resources.

It goes without saying that physicians and other health professionals depend upon the skill and ability with which laboratory personnel perform their duties. They hold life and death in their hands; because the information given to the physician influences the medical treatment a patient receives.

As such, they are guided by laboratory rules, ethics and policies. Adhering to the code of conduct is mandatory. This includes those practices and attitudes which characterize a professional and responsible laboratory officer. Adopting it helps to remind medical laboratory personnel of their responsibility to patients, duty to uphold professional standards, and, need to work with complete integrity. Laboratory personnel place the wellbeing and service of the patient above their own interest. They ought to be loyal to the profession by maintaining high standards of work and striving to improve professional skill and knowledge.

Expectedly, they should work scientifically and with complete honesty. Professionally, they should not misuse their skills or knowledge for personal gain.

Accountability requires that laboratory personnel never: take anything from the place of work that does not belongs to them, disclose to a patient or any other unauthorized person the results of investigation, treat patients with strict confidentiality, respect and work in harmony with other members of staff, be courteous, patient, considerate to the sick and their relatives.

Morally, laboratory personnel are obligated to follow safety procedures and know how to apply first aid. They must avoid drinking alcohol or prohibited drugs that would interfere with work performance. Responsibility requires that they use laboratory equipment with care, avoid wastage of supplies, and safeguard the dignity and privacy of the patient.

MAIN PHOTO | EMFULENI A Lab technician analysing samples